McCain campaign officials insist they have contacted more voters than Bush's team did four years ago, and they tout their use of voice-over-Internet technology to improve and expand the effort.
The devices enable volunteers at GOP phone banks to punch buttons that instantly update a database called Voter Vault, which collects details on individual voters from dozens of public sources, such as magazine subscriptions and car registrations.
Using the data, the campaign can mail different fliers to different voter groups. Military veterans may hear about McCain's views on Iraq, and some church groups may receive information about his opposition to abortion. Jewish voters may learn about McCain's support for Israel.
"Every single mailbox needs a different message," said Ryan Meerstein, McCain's state director. "And we can do that. We can hit you with what is most important to you."
But the campaign didn't send the high-tech phones to some vote-rich areas it needs on election day.
"We're still on cellphones and use pen and pencil," said Pat Hennessy, GOP chairman in conservative Muskingum County, about 50 miles east of Columbus. "I don't know what they're collecting. They don't tell me."
Equally important, perhaps, McCain's campaign still wasn't canvassing in many areas last week.
"We've mostly done weekends until now," said Linda Smith, GOP chairwoman in Clark County, west of the capital.
McCain faces other potential difficulties in Delaware County, which has 165,000 residents and is one of the nation's fastest-growing counties.
In 2004, Bush swamped Kerry 2 to 1 in the wealthy subdivisions and shopping malls carved out of rich farmland that abuts the capital. But when foreclosure signs started sprouting and Bush's popularity began to crater, the GOP stronghold began to fracture.
In 2006, the county gave a whisker-thin margin to Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who led a Democratic near-sweep of state offices, including the secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer.
The local economy has only worsened since.
Ed Helvey, the county Democratic chairman, said that Democrats outnumber Republicans in voter registrations for the first time.
"We are working our tails off," he said. "The Republicans had it in '04. It was like electricity in the air -- you could feel it."
This year, he said, Democrats were more visible than Republicans.
